هل غير بابك للغريب مؤمل

هل غير بابك للغريب مؤمل

أو عن جنابك للأماني معدل

أو عن جنابك للأماني معدل

Is any door but yours a source of hope for the stranger?

Is your door still open to the stranger full of hope?

Or can hopes turn anywhere away from your presence?

Or has your generosity towards desires changed?

هي همة بعثت إليك على النوى

هي همة بعثت إليك على النوى

عزماً كما شحذ الحسام الصيقل

عزماً كما شحذ الحسام الصيقل

It is high aspiration that sent toward you, despite the distance,

It is an ambition that I have sent to you with determination,

a resolve sharpened as a polisher sharpens the keen sword.

As sharp as the polished sword.

متبوأ الدنيا ومنتجع المنى

متبوأ الدنيا ومنتجع المنى

والغيث حيث العارض المتهلل

والغيث حيث العارض المتهلل

The world's abode and the pasture of hopes,

You occupy the world and the places of wishes,

and rain where the rain-cloud beams.

And the rain where the clouds accumulate.

حيث القصور الزاهرات منيفة

حيث القصور الزاهرات منيفة

تعنى بها زهر النجوم وتحفل

تعنى بها زهر النجوم وتحفل

Where the radiant palaces tower,

Where the blossoming palaces are comfortable,

the bright stars attend them with care;

Adorned with the flowers of the stars and frequented.

حيث الخيام البيض يرفع للعلا

حيث الخيام البيض يرفع للعلا

والمكرمات طرافها المتهدل

والمكرمات طرافها المتهدل

where the white tents lift toward glory

Where the white tents are raised to the heights,

and noble deeds their drooping canopy;

And their edges are supple and swaying.

حيث الحمى للعز في ساحاته

حيث الحمى للعز في ساحاته

ظل أفاءته الوشيج الذبل

ظل أفاءته الوشيج الذبل

where, in the sanctuary's courts, glory enjoys

Where zeal for glory lies in its plains,

a shade cast by slender spear-shafts;

Shaded by the withering oleander.

حيت الكرام ينوب عن نار القرى

حيت الكرام ينوب عن نار القرى

عرف الكباء بحيهم والمندل

عرف الكباء بحيهم والمندل

where, for generous men, the hospitality-fire is replaced

Where valor takes the place of the fires of the land,

by the scent of incense and sandalwood in their camp;

The customs of their districts and their assemblies.

حيث الرماح يكاد يورق عودها

حيث الرماح يكاد يورق عودها

مما تعل من الدماء وتنهل

مما تعل من الدماء وتنهل

where the spears' wood almost sprouts leaves

Where the spears nearly sprout leaves from

from the blood they drink in draught after draught;

All the blood they bear and draw.

حيث الجياد أملهن بنو الوغى

حيث الجياد أملهن بنو الوغى

مما أطالوا في المغار وأوغلوا

مما أطالوا في المغار وأوغلوا

where the sons of warfare have wearied the fine steeds

Where the steeds inspire their enthusiastic riders

through their long raids and deep incursions;

From their distant raids and deep incursions.

حيث الوجوه الغر قنعها الحيا

حيث الوجوه الغر قنعها الحيا

والبشر في صفحاتها يتهلل

والبشر في صفحاتها يتهلل

where fair faces are veiled in modesty,

Where the strange faces are masked by shyness,

and cheerfulness beams across their cheeks;

And the creation upon them is glittering and smiling.

حيث الملوك الصيد والنفر الألى

حيث الملوك الصيد والنفر الألى

عز الجوار لديهم والمنزل

عز الجوار لديهم والمنزل

where the lordly kings dwell, and those men

Where the kings and the intimate company,

among whom protection and lodging are honored.

The honor of their neighborhood and abode.

من شيعة المهدي بل من شيع

من شيعة المهدي بل من شيع

ة التوحيد به الكتاب يفصل

ة التوحيد به الكتاب يفصل

Followers of the Mahdi—rather, of the faction

Of the followers of the Mahdi, rather of the followers,

of divine unity, which the Book expounds.

Of monotheism, about whom the Scripture is clear.

بل شيعة الرحمن ألقى حبهم

بل شيعة الرحمن ألقى حبهم

في خلقه فسموا بذاك وفضلوا

في خلقه فسموا بذاك وفضلوا

Rather, followers of the All-Merciful, who cast love for them

Rather, the followers of the Compassionate, who cast

among His creatures, so they rose and excelled.

His love upon creation, so they were named and preferred.

شادوا على التقوى مباني عزهم

شادوا على التقوى مباني عزهم

لله ما شادوا بذاك وأثلوا

لله ما شادوا بذاك وأثلوا

They raised the buildings of their glory upon piety;

They built the edifices of their glory upon piety,

God be praised for what they built and established upon it!

Not for God what they built and did excel.

قوم أبو حفص أب لهم وما

قوم أبو حفص أب لهم وما

أدراك والفاروق جد أول

أدراك والفاروق جد أول

A people whose father is Abu Hafs—and what

The people whose father was Abu Hafs

could tell you his worth? Al-Faruq is their earliest forefather.

And their first grandfather was Al-Farooq.

نسب كما اطردت أنابيب القنا

نسب كما اطردت أنابيب القنا

وأتى على تقويمهن معدل

وأتى على تقويمهن معدل

A lineage straight as the successive joints of spears,

A lineage as consistent as the courses of the stars,

and a straightener came to set them true;

And upon their perfection one who amends comes.

سام على هام الزمان كأنه

سام على هام الزمان كأنه

للفخر تاج بالبدور مكلل

للفخر تاج بالبدور مكلل

rising above the crowns of Time, as though

Elevated over the eras of time, as if

a crown for pride, wreathed with full moons.

He is a crown adorned with moons for glory.

فضل الأنام حديثهم وقديمهم

فضل الأنام حديثهم وقديمهم

ولأنت إن فضلوا أعز وأفضل

ولأنت إن فضلوا أعز وأفضل

Their recent and ancient generations surpassed mankind,

The excellence of people, their ancient and recent,

yet, if they excelled, you are mightier and better.

And you, if they excel, are mightier and superior.

وبنوا على قلل النجوم ووطدوا

وبنوا على قلل النجوم ووطدوا

وبناؤك العالي أشد وأطول

وبناؤك العالي أشد وأطول

They built on the stars' summits and laid firm foundations,

You built above the summits of the stars and fortified,

but your lofty building is stronger and taller.

And your lofty construction is firmer and taller.

ولقد أقول لخائض بحر الفلا

ولقد أقول لخائض بحر الفلا

والليل مزبد الجوانب أليل

والليل مزبد الجوانب أليل

Indeed, I say to one wading through the sea of wilderness,

I say to one crossing the sea of elevation,

while night foams at its edges, deeply dark,

While the night foams at its edges, intensely dark.

ماض علىغول الدجى لا يتقي

ماض علىغول الدجى لا يتقي

تيهاً وذابله ذبال مشعل

تيهاً وذابله ذبال مشعل

pressing through the ghoul of darkness, unafraid of

Passing the darkness of night fearlessly,

losing his way, his slender spear a torch's burning wick,

Lost, his guide but an igniting cresset.

متقلب فوق الرحال كأنه

متقلب فوق الرحال كأنه

طيف بأطراف المهاد موكل

طيف بأطراف المهاد موكل

tossed about above the saddles, as though

Tossed about atop his she-camel, as if

a phantom set to haunt the edges of a bed,

He is a phantom assigned to the edges of the pillows.

يبغي منال الفوز من طرق الغنى

يبغي منال الفوز من طرق الغنى

ويرود خصبها الذي لا يمحل

ويرود خصبها الذي لا يمحل

seeking success along the paths of wealth,

Seeking to attain success through the ways of plenty,

and scouting their fertility, which never turns barren:

And attaining its fertility that does not fade.

أرح الركاب فقد ظفرت بواهب

أرح الركاب فقد ظفرت بواهب

يعطي عطاء المنعمين فيجزل

يعطي عطاء المنعمين فيجزل

Rest the mounts: you have found a benefactor

Comfort your riding-beasts, for you have attained

who gives as benefactors give, and gives abundantly.

One who grants gifts of benefaction abundantly.

لله من خلق كريم في الندى

لله من خلق كريم في الندى

كالروض حياه ندى مخضل

كالروض حياه ندى مخضل

God be praised for a character noble in generosity,

By God, what a generous being He created amidst bounty,

like a garden greeted by drenching dew.

Like a meadow whose life is fresh dew.

هذا أمير المؤمنين إمامنا

هذا أمير المؤمنين إمامنا

في الدين والدنيا إليه الموئل

في الدين والدنيا إليه الموئل

This is the Commander of the Faithful, our imam;

This is the Commander of the Faithful, our Imam

in religion and worldly life, refuge is with him.

In religion and life, to him is the destination.

هذا أبو العباس خير خليفة

هذا أبو العباس خير خليفة

شهدت له الشيم التي لا تجهل

شهدت له الشيم التي لا تجهل

This is Abu al-Abbas, the best of caliphs,

This is Abu Al-'Abbas, the best Caliph

as his unmistakable virtues testify.

The noble traits have testified for him that do not err.

مستنصر بالله في قهر العدا

مستنصر بالله في قهر العدا

وعلى إعانة ربه متوكل

وعلى إعانة ربه متوكل

Seeking God's aid to subdue his foes,

Al-Mu'tasim billah to conquer the enemies,

and relying on his Lord's assistance.

And reliant upon his Lord’s support.

سبق الملوك إلى العلا متمهلا

سبق الملوك إلى العلا متمهلا

لله منك السابق المتمهل

لله منك السابق المتمهل

He outstripped kings toward glory without haste;

He preceded the kings to supremacy, at ease,

God be praised for you, the unhurried forerunner!

By God, you the foremost, at ease.

فلأنت أعلى المالكين وإن غدوا

فلأنت أعلى المالكين وإن غدوا

يتسابقون إلى العلاء وأكمل

يتسابقون إلى العلاء وأكمل

You are the highest of rulers, even when they

For you are highest of rulers, even if

race toward eminence—and the most accomplished.

They race to highness and perfection.

قايس قديماً منكم بقديمهم

قايس قديماً منكم بقديمهم

فالأمر فيه واضح لا يجهل

فالأمر فيه واضح لا يجهل

Compare an ancient forebear of yours with theirs;

Judge the old from you with their old,

the matter is clear and cannot be unknown.

For in it the matter is clear, not hidden.

دانوا لقومكم بأقوم طاعة

دانوا لقومكم بأقوم طاعة

هي عروة الدين التي لا تفصل

هي عروة الدين التي لا تفصل

They submitted to your people in the straightest obedience,

They submitted to your people in the firmest obedience,

the bond of religion that cannot be severed.

Which is the handhold of faith that does not detach.

سائل تلمساناً بها وزناتة

سائل تلمساناً بها وزناتة

ومرين قبلهم كما قد ينقل

ومرين قبلهم كما قد ينقل

Ask Tlemcen about it, and Zanata,

Ask Tangiers, which it seized, and Zanatah before it,

and Marin before them, as has been related.

As conveyed in reports.

وأسأل بأندلس مدائن ملكها

وأسأل بأندلس مدائن ملكها

تخبرك حين استيأسوا واستوهلوا

تخبرك حين استيأسوا واستوهلوا

And ask, in al-Andalus, the cities of its kingdom;

And ask the cities of Al-Andalus and its domains,

they will tell you of when they despaired and grew afraid.

When they despaired and became confused.

واسأل بذا مراكشاً وقصورها

واسأل بذا مراكشاً وقصورها

ولقد تجيب رسومها من يسأل

ولقد تجيب رسومها من يسأل

Ask Marrakesh and its palaces about this;

And ask Marrakesh and its palaces about it,

even its ruins will answer whoever asks.

And its ruins will answer one who asks.

يا أيها الملك الذي في نعته

يا أيها الملك الذي في نعته

ملء القلوب وفوق ما يتمثل

ملء القلوب وفوق ما يتمثل

O king, whose qualities

O king, whom praise fills hearts and more

fill hearts and exceed what can be imagined,

Than what can be imagined!

لله منك مؤيد عزماته

لله منك مؤيد عزماته

تمضي كما يمضي القضاء المرسل

تمضي كما يمضي القضاء المرسل

God be praised for you, divinely aided, whose resolves

By God, from you an aider of His will,

advance like the decree sent forth.

That proceeds as the conclusive decree proceeds.

جئت الزمان بحيث أعضل خطبه

جئت الزمان بحيث أعضل خطبه

فافتر عنه وهو أكلح أعصل

فافتر عنه وهو أكلح أعصل

You came to an age whose troubles had grown insoluble;

You came upon the times when its discourse was insolent,

it smiled its trouble away, though grim-faced and unyielding.

So unbridle it, while it is most insolent and stubborn.

والشمل من أبنائه متصدع

والشمل من أبنائه متصدع

وحمى خلافته مضاع مهمل

وحمى خلافته مضاع مهمل

Its children's unity was shattered,

The unity of its children cracked,

and its caliphate's sanctuary wasted and neglected.

And the zeal of its caliphate neglected and abandoned.

والخلق قد صرفوا إليك قلوبهم

والخلق قد صرفوا إليك قلوبهم

ورجوا صلاح الحال منك وأملوا

ورجوا صلاح الحال منك وأملوا

People had turned their hearts toward you,

People have turned their hearts to you,

hoping and longing for you to set affairs right.

And hoped for reform from you and aspired.

فعجلته لما انتدبت لأمره

فعجلته لما انتدبت لأمره

بالبأس والعزم الذي لا يمهل

بالبأس والعزم الذي لا يمهل

You hastened that when you undertook its cause,

So you hastened when you were called to its affair,

with force and a resolve that allows no delay.

With might and resolve that does not delay.

ذللت منه جامحاً لا ينثني

ذللت منه جامحاً لا ينثني

سهلت وعراً كاد لا يتسهل

سهلت وعراً كاد لا يتسهل

You tamed its unruly force that would not yield,

You subjugated from it the resistant that does not bend,

and smoothed rough ground that could scarcely be smoothed.

Made easy the rugged that nearly does not soften.

وألنت من شرس العتاة وذدتهم

وألنت من شرس العتاة وذدتهم

عن ذلك الحرك الذي قد حللوا

عن ذلك الحرك الذي قد حللوا

You softened the tyrants' ferocity and drove them

And you softened the hardened of the fierce rebels,

from that camp where they had settled.

And repelled them from that defiance they had assumed.

كانت لصولة صولة ولقومه

كانت لصولة صولة ولقومه

يعدوا ذؤيب بها وتسطو المعقل

يعدوا ذؤيب بها وتسطو المعقل

Sawla had his onslaught, and his people theirs;

The audacity of the audacious was an audacity,

Dhu'ayb charges there, and Ma'qil strikes.

And for his people, he summoned it, tyrannizing the forts.

ومهلهل تسدي وتلحم في التي

ومهلهل تسدي وتلحم في التي

ما أحكموها بعد ففي مهلهل

ما أحكموها بعد ففي مهلهل

And Muhalhil lays warp and weft in what

And Muhallab wreaking havoc and adhering

they have not yet made firm—a loose weave.

To that which they perfected, yet in havoc.

عجب الأنام لشأنهم بادون قد

عجب الأنام لشأنهم بادون قد

قذفت بحيهم المطي الذلل

قذفت بحيهم المطي الذلل

People marveled at their condition: nomads whose

The people are amazed by their condition—had

tribe the docile mounts had borne away.

Their quarter been cast the thrown dirt.

رفعوا القباب على العماد وعندها

رفعوا القباب على العماد وعندها

الجرد السلاهب والرماح العسل

الجرد السلاهب والرماح العسل

They raised domed tents on poles; beside them stood

They raised the structures upon the columns, and by them

sleek, tall steeds and quivering spears.

The bare pillars and the spreading spears.

في كل ظامي الترب متقد الحصى

في كل ظامي الترب متقد الحصى

تهوي للجته الظماء فتنهل

تهوي للجته الظماء فتنهل

In every place of parched earth and burning pebbles,

In every dark earth the pebbles are aflame,

the thirsty plunge into its depths and drink.

Pouring to the wastelands their gathered water.

جن شرابهم السراب ورزقهم

جن شرابهم السراب ورزقهم

رمح يروح به الكمي ومنصل

رمح يروح به الكمي ومنصل

Jinn, whose drink is mirage and whose sustenance

Their drink was a mirage and their sustenance

is a spear the warrior brings back, and a sword.

A spear that spirits away the unhealthy and rancid.

حي حلول بالعراء ودونهم

حي حلول بالعراء ودونهم

قذف النوى إن يظعنوا أو يقبلوا

قذف النوى إن يظعنوا أو يقبلوا

A tribe encamped in the open, with before them

They lived freely in the open plains, and for them

far-flung distances, whether they depart or approach.

The thrown stones, whether they raided or stayed still.

كانوا يروعون الملوك بما بدوا

كانوا يروعون الملوك بما بدوا

وغدت ترفه بالنعيم وتخضل

وغدت ترفه بالنعيم وتخضل

They terrified kings through their desert life,

They used to terrify kings with their rebellion,

while those kings enjoyed comfort and luxuriance.

And tomorrow you make their living easy and luxurious.

فبدوت لا تلوي على دعة ولا

فبدوت لا تلوي على دعة ولا

تأوي إلى ظلل القصور تهدل

تأوي إلى ظلل القصور تهدل

So you went forth, turning neither toward ease nor

Sometimes the destitute greet you, at others

seeking shelter in the palaces' drooping shades.

The swaying of standards shades you.

طوراً يصافحك الهجير وتارة

طوراً يصافحك الهجير وتارة

فيه بخفاق البنود تظلل

فيه بخفاق البنود تظلل

At times the noonday heat shakes your hand; at others,

And if he addresses you secretively on the day of battle,

you find shade in it beneath fluttering standards.

The drinking cups, so with the neighing youaky.

وإذا تعاطي ضمراً يوم الوغى

وإذا تعاطي ضمراً يوم الوغى

كأس النجيع فبالصهيل تعلل

كأس النجيع فبالصهيل تعلل

And when, on battle's day, you offer lean steeds

We were properly equipped, eager for it,

the cup of gore, you take solace in their neighing.

For the likes of this, the competent is best.

مخشوشنا في العز معتملاً له

مخشوشنا في العز معتملاً له

في مثل هذا يحسن المستعمل

في مثل هذا يحسن المستعمل

Living austerely for glory, laboring to attain it—

You make the desolate wilderness tremble, no army

such exertion is well employed in a cause like this.

Marching through it, nor a crowd descending upon it.

تفري حشا البيداء لا يسري بها

تفري حشا البيداء لا يسري بها

ركب ولا يهوي إليها جحفل

ركب ولا يهوي إليها جحفل

You cleave the desert's entrails, where no

And you drag the trains of battalions over it,

caravan travels by night and no army descends.

Swaying through the flat land, tall, rippling.

وتجر أذيال الكتائب فوقها

وتجر أذيال الكتائب فوقها

تختال في السمر الطوال وترفل

تختال في السمر الطوال وترفل

You drag the battalions' skirts across it,

You make them rain upon it from every armed

as they strut among long brown lances and trail their robes.

Horseman, unsheathing his sword if the unarmed weakens.

ترميهم منهما بكل مدجج

ترميهم منهما بكل مدجج

شاكي السلاح إذا استعار الأعزل

شاكي السلاح إذا استعار الأعزل

From both you assail them with every armored warrior,

And with every brown spear, its branch supple,

bristling with weapons when the unarmed must borrow them,

And with every white, its fibers swaying.

وبكل أسمر غصنه متأود

وبكل أسمر غصنه متأود

وبكل أبيض شطه متهدل

وبكل أبيض شطه متهدل

and with every brown lance whose branch bends,

and every white blade whose edge hangs low,

Until you scatter that exalted group,

حتى تفرق ذلك الجمع الألى

حتى تفرق ذلك الجمع الألى

عصفت بهم ريح الجلاد فزلولوا

عصفت بهم ريح الجلاد فزلولوا

until that host was scattered—those whom

The wind of death blew upon them, so they stumbled.

the wind of combat blasted, so they staggered.

Then you appeased them with your comforts

ثم استملتهم بأنعمك التي

ثم استملتهم بأنعمك التي

خضعوا لعزك بعدها وتذللوا

خضعوا لعزك بعدها وتذللوا

Then you won them over with your favors,

By which they submitted to your glory after.

after which they bowed to your might and humbled themselves.

And you rid the people of discord the delusion

ونزعت من أهل الجريد غواية

ونزعت من أهل الجريد غواية

كانت بهم أبداً تجد وتهزل

كانت بهم أبداً تجد وتهزل

You stripped the people of al-Jarid of a delusion

That had always germinated and toyed with them.

that forever toyed with them, in earnest and in jest.

You destroyed what they erected of buildings

خربت من بنيانها ما شيدوا

خربت من بنيانها ما شيدوا

وقطعت من أسبابها ما أصلوا

وقطعت من أسبابها ما أصلوا

You wrecked what they had raised of its edifice,

And cut off what they established of causes.

and severed the roots they had established for it.

And you organized its cities and frontiers

ونظمت من أمصاره وثغوره

ونظمت من أمصاره وثغوره

للملك عقداً بالفتوح يفصل

للملك عقداً بالفتوح يفصل

From its towns and frontier strongholds you strung

For the kingdom a necklace of openings distinguishing.

a necklace for the kingdom, adorned with conquests.

Thus you closed the emergence of hypocrisy while you

فسددت مطلع النفاق وأنت لا

فسددت مطلع النفاق وأنت لا

تنبو ظباك ولا العزيمة تنكل

تنبو ظباك ولا العزيمة تنكل

You sealed hypocrisy's outlet; never do

Do not fear its forelocks, nor does determination weaken for you.

your blades rebound or your resolve shrink,

With formidable shrewdness and policy

بشكيمة مرهوبة وسياسة

بشكيمة مرهوبة وسياسة

تجري كما يجري فرات سلسل

تجري كما يجري فرات سلسل

with dreaded firmness and governance

That flows like the Euphrates, chained.

flowing like a sweet, clear stream.

It made the times gentle, and its taste is sweet

عذب الزمان لها ولذ مذاقه

عذب الزمان لها ولذ مذاقه

من بعد ما قد مر منه الحنظل

من بعد ما قد مر منه الحنظل

Time grew sweet through it, its flavor pleasant,

After what bitterness passed from it.

after the bitterness of its colocynth.

So the people clamored for the glory of the most wondrous king,

فضوى الأنام لعز أروع مالك

فضوى الأنام لعز أروع مالك

سهل الخليقة ماجد متفضل

سهل الخليقة ماجد متفضل

Mankind took refuge in the might of an imposing ruler,

Easy, glorious, bestowing.

gentle in nature, noble and generous.

And the hearts concord upon satisfaction with you

وتطابقت فيك القلوب على الرضى

وتطابقت فيك القلوب على الرضى

سيان منها الطفل والمتكهل

سيان منها الطفل والمتكهل

Hearts agreed in their contentment with you,

Equally, the child and the grown man.

children and the middle-aged alike.

O king who sufficed the time and its people

يا مالكاً وسع الزمان وأهله

يا مالكاً وسع الزمان وأهله

دعة وأمناً فوق ما قد أملوا

دعة وأمناً فوق ما قد أملوا

O ruler, who encompassed the age and its people

With tranquility and safety beyond what they hoped for.

with ease and safety beyond what they had hoped,

So the land, no ogres are feared in it,

فالأرض لا يخشى بها غول ولا

فالأرض لا يخشى بها غول ولا

يعدو بساحتها الهزبر المشبل

يعدو بساحتها الهزبر المشبل

no ghoul is feared upon the earth, nor

Nor does the roaring tyrant roam its plains.

does a lion with cubs charge across its grounds.

And travel, they cross every rugged terrain,

والسفر يجتابون كل تنوفة

والسفر يجتابون كل تنوفة

سرب القطا ما راعهن الأجدل

سرب القطا ما راعهن الأجدل

Travelers cross every wilderness,

Like the flock of wild cows, not startled by anything.

a flock of sandgrouse unfrightened by the falcon.

Glory to Him who by your ascendance revived wishes,

سبحان من بعلاك قد أحيا المنى

سبحان من بعلاك قد أحيا المنى

وأعاد حلي الجيد وهو معطل

وأعاد حلي الجيد وهو معطل

Glory to Him who revived hopes through your eminence,

And restored the beauty of necks that had languished.

and restored ornaments to the neck that lay bare.

Glory to Him who by guiding you elucidated

سبحان من بهداك أوضح للورى

سبحان من بهداك أوضح للورى

قصد السبيل فأبصر المتأمل

قصد السبيل فأبصر المتأمل

Glory to Him who, through your guidance, showed mankind

For the creation the aim of the path, so the one who contemplates sees.

the straight path, so the contemplative one could see.

It is as if the world is a bride disclosing,

فكأنما الدنيا عروس تجتلى

فكأنما الدنيا عروس تجتلى

فتميس في حلل الجمال وترفل

فتميس في حلل الجمال وترفل

It is as though the world were a bride unveiled,

So she walks in robes of beauty, rippling.

swaying in robes of beauty and trailing them.

And as if the countries' being just, by its justice,

وكأن مطبقة البلاد بعدله

وكأن مطبقة البلاد بعدله

عادت فسيحاً ليس فيه مجهل

عادت فسيحاً ليس فيه مجهل

As though the constricted lands, through his justice,

Returned spacious, no ignorance within it.

became an open expanse with no uncharted tract.

And as if the stars' lights were multiplied

وكأن أنوار الكواكب ضوعفت

وكأن أنوار الكواكب ضوعفت

من نور غرته التي هي أجمل

من نور غرته التي هي أجمل

As though the stars' lights were doubled

By its illumination more beautiful than theirs.

by the radiance of his brow, lovelier still.

And as if the veil were lifted from the onlooker's sight,

وكأنما رفع الحجاب لناظر

وكأنما رفع الحجاب لناظر

فرأى الحقيقة في الذي يتخيل

فرأى الحقيقة في الذي يتخيل

As though a veil were lifted for an observer,

So he saw reality in that which he imagines.

who saw reality in what he had imagined.

My lord, my thoughts have erred and my mind is numb,

مولاي غاضت فكرتي وتبلدت

مولاي غاضت فكرتي وتبلدت

مني الطباع فكل شيء مشكل

مني الطباع فكل شيء مشكل

My lord, my thought has ebbed, and

And all is problematic for my natural dispositions.

my natural gifts grown dull: everything is obscure.

My ambitions rise to the realm of realities,

تسمو إلى درك الحقائق همتي

تسمو إلى درك الحقائق همتي

فأصد عن إدراكهن وأعزل

فأصد عن إدراكهن وأعزل

My ambition rises to grasp the truths,

Yet I fall short of attaining them and withdraw.

but I am turned away from understanding them and excluded.

And I find my night interminably testing my talent,

وأجد ليلي في امتراء قريحتي

وأجد ليلي في امتراء قريحتي

وتعود غوراً بينما تسترسل

وتعود غوراً بينما تسترسل

I labor through the night to draw from my poetic gift,

Then it becomes immersed while it flows.

but it sinks away just as it flows freely.

So words churn in my mind, while

فأبيت يعتلج الكلام بخاطري

فأبيت يعتلج الكلام بخاطري

والنظم يشرد والقوافي تجفل

والنظم يشرد والقوافي تجفل

I spend the night with words wrestling in my mind,

Poetry wanders and rhymes are jumbled.

while verse strays and rhymes take flight.

After some time I select, and my poetry

من بعد حول أنتقيه ولم يكن

من بعد حول أنتقيه ولم يكن

في الشعر حولي يعاب ويهمل

في الشعر حولي يعاب ويهمل

After a year of selecting it; never was

Has not been disparaged or neglected.

my poetic prowess faulted or neglected.

I protect it from its folk, hiding

فأصونه عن أهله متوارياً

فأصونه عن أهله متوارياً

أن لا يضمهم وشعري محفل

أن لا يضمهم وشعري محفل

So I keep it from its practitioners, keeping out of sight,

That they be joined with my poetry at a gathering.

lest one gathering bring them and my poem together.

It is merchandise whose insincere promotion is equal;

وهي البضاعة في القبول نفاقها

وهي البضاعة في القبول نفاقها

سيان فيها الفحل والمتطفل

سيان فيها الفحل والمتطفل

It is merchandise whose currency lies in acceptance;

In it the adept and the pretentious are alike.

in this, the master and the interloper are equal.

And the children of my thoughts, if they come to you inspid,

وبنات فكري إن أتتك كليلة

وبنات فكري إن أتتك كليلة

مرهاء تخطر في القصور وتخطل

مرهاء تخطر في القصور وتخطل

And if the daughters of my thought reach you weary,

Graceful, wandering the palaces and strutting about,

bleary-eyed, swaying in inadequacy and babbling,

Then they deserve favor when you grant acceptance,

فلها الفخار إذا منحت قبولها

فلها الفخار إذا منحت قبولها

وأنا على ذاك البليغ المقول

وأنا على ذاك البليغ المقول

they have glory if you grant them acceptance,

While I remain upon that eloquent truthful saying.

and thereby I am eloquent and well-spoken.

And to you are lessons from the time and its people,

وإليك من سير الزمان وأهله

وإليك من سير الزمان وأهله

عبراً يدين بفضلها من يعدل

عبراً يدين بفضلها من يعدل

And to you, from the histories of time and its people,

By whose merit one who judges fairly indebted.

I offer lessons whose merit the just acknowledge:

Pages that translate from the discourse of the eminent,

صحفاً تترجم عن أحاديث الألى

صحفاً تترجم عن أحاديث الألى

غبروا فتجمل عنهم وتفصل

غبروا فتجمل عنهم وتفصل

pages that relate the accounts of those

Beautifying for them and clarifying.

who have passed away, in summary and in detail.

They reveal the succession of giants and their secret,

تبدي التبابع والعمالق سرها

تبدي التبابع والعمالق سرها

وثمود قبلهم وعاد الأول

وثمود قبلهم وعاد الأول

They reveal the secrets of the Tubba' kings and the Amalekites,

And Thamud before them, and `Aad the first.

and Thamud before them, and the first 'Ad;

And those who stand by the religion of Islam

والقائمون بملة الإسلام من

والقائمون بملة الإسلام من

مضر وبربرهم إذا ما حصلوا

مضر وبربرهم إذا ما حصلوا

and those upholding the faith of Islam, from

From Mudar and the Berbers when they gathered.

Mudar and their Berbers, when duly enumerated.

I compiled the books of the predecessors to collect them,

لخصت كتب الأولين لجمعها

لخصت كتب الأولين لجمعها

وأتيت أولها بما قد أغفلوا

وأتيت أولها بما قد أغفلوا

I summarized the ancients' books to compile them,

And began with what they neglected.

and placed at the work's beginning what they had overlooked.

And I made the columns of speech supple, as if

وألنت حوشي الكلام كأنما

وألنت حوشي الكلام كأنما

شرد اللغات بها لنطقي ذلل

شرد اللغات بها لنطقي ذلل

I softened the uncouth parts of speech, as though

The languages were humbled by them to my diction.

language's wild strays were tamed there to my utterance.

I gifted jewels from it to your supremacy

أهديت منه إلى علاك جواهراً

أهديت منه إلى علاك جواهراً

مكنونة وكواكباً لا تأفل

مكنونة وكواكباً لا تأفل

From it I presented to your highness jewels

Hidden away, and planets that do not set.

kept hidden, and stars that never set.

And I beautified it for the vessels of your kingdom, proudly,

وجملته لصوان ملكك مفخرا

وجملته لصوان ملكك مفخرا

يبأى الندي به ويزهو المحفل

يبأى الندي به ويزهو المحفل

I adorned it for your kingdom's treasury, a source of pride

Whereby the unmatched thrives and the assembly exults.

in which the assembly boasts and the gathering glories.

By God, I have not exaggerated in what I have said,

والله ما أسرفت فيما قلته

والله ما أسرفت فيما قلته

شيئاً ولا الاسراف مما يجمل

شيئاً ولا الاسراف مما يجمل

By God, I have not exaggerated in what I said

Anything, for exaggeration does not beautify.

at all, nor is exaggeration fitting.

And you are firmer in knowledge than

ولأنت أرسخ في المعارف رتبة

ولأنت أرسخ في المعارف رتبة

من أن يموه عنده متطفل

من أن يموه عنده متطفل

Your rank in knowledge is too firmly established

That an pretentious one can delude you.

for an interloper to deceive in your presence.

For the virtues and truths are in your hands,

فملاك كل فضيلة وحقيقة

فملاك كل فضيلة وحقيقة

بيديك تعرف وضعها إن بدلوا

بيديك تعرف وضعها إن بدلوا

For the measure of every virtue and truth

You know their proper places if they change.

lies in your hands; you know its place if they alter it.

And truth with you is prioritized in matters,

والحق عندك في الأمور مقدم

والحق عندك في الأمور مقدم

أبداً فماذا يدعيه المبطل

أبداً فماذا يدعيه المبطل

Truth is foremost with you in affairs,

Forever, so what can the vain purport?

always—what, then, can the false claimant claim?

And God granted you that which there is nothing beyond,

والله أعطاك التي لا فوقها

والله أعطاك التي لا فوقها

فاحكم بما ترضى فأنت الأعدل

فاحكم بما ترضى فأنت الأعدل

God has given you that above which nothing stands;

So judge however you wish, for you are the most just.

rule as you see fit, for you are the most just.

May your Lord sustain you for the servants, nurturing them,

أبقاك ربك للعباد تربهم

أبقاك ربك للعباد تربهم

فالله يخلقهم ورعيك يكفل

فالله يخلقهم ورعيك يكفل

May your Lord preserve you to tend His servants;

For God creates them, while your care takes responsibility.

God creates them, and your care safeguards them.